Tuesday, September 27, 2011

David Zelag Goodman was best known for such 1970s films as 'Straw Dogs'
and 'Lovers and Other Strangers.' The latter earned him an Oscar nod.

By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times
September 28, 2011

David Zelag Goodman, a screenwriter best known for such 1970s films as
the controversial psychological thriller "Straw Dogs" and "Lovers and
Other Strangers," a comedy that earned him an Oscar nomination, has
died. He was 81.

Goodman died Monday at an assisted-living facility in Oakland of
progressive supranuclear palsy, a brain disorder, said his daughter,
Kevis Goodman.

"He was a man for all seasons," said his close friend Zev Braun, a film
and television producer. "He went from biblical scholar [as a young man]
to playwright to television and motion pictures and did some of the best
of the '70s movies. That was when he was really on fire, so to speak."

During his movie-writing heyday in the 1970s, Goodman shared an Oscar
nomination with Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor for co-writing the
screenplay for "Lovers and Other Strangers," a 1970 comedy based on
Bologna and Taylor's play.

Goodman teamed with director Sam Peckinpah to co-write the screenplay
for "Straw Dogs," the Peckinpah-directed 1971 film starring Dustin
Hoffman as a mild-mannered American mathematician living with his
British wife (Susan George) in an English country village, a location
that proves to be less than tranquil for the couple.

The film, which generated controversy for its violence, was described by
Charles Champlin, then The Times' film critic, as "an overpowering piece of storytelling, certain to remind every viewer of the wells of primal
emotion lurking within himself, beneath the fragile veneer of civilized
control."

Goodman's other film credits as a co-writer include "Monte Walsh," a
1970 western starring Lee Marvin and "Eyes of Laura Mars," a 1978
thriller starring Faye Dunaway.

He also wrote the screenplays for "Farewell, My Lovely," a 1975
adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel starring Robert Mitchum as Philip
Marlowe; and "Logan's Run," the 1976 science-fiction film starring
Michael York.

His writing career included a 1954 off-Broadway production of his
antiwar drama "High Named Today" and episodes of TV's "The
Untouchables," "Combat!" and "Mr. Broadway" in the 1960s.

Goodman also was a "go-to writer" for a number of producer friends who
were having trouble with scripts. He could immediately pinpoint what was
wrong, said Braun, whose work with Goodman included "Freedom Road," a
1979 miniseries with Muhammad Ali and Kris Kristofferson.

"It's his integrity as a writer that made him a good writer, not only
his talent," Braun said. "He also had integrity as a person. Anybody who
knew him would tell you that."

Born Jan. 15, 1930, in New York City, Goodman earned a degree in English
from Queens College and studied drama at Yale University.

During most of his career, he spent part of each year in Los Angeles
while continuing to live in New York. In 1999, he and his wife,
Marjorie, moved to Berkeley, where their daughter is an English
professor at UC Berkeley.

In addition to his daughter and his wife of 61 years, Goodman is
survived by his sister, Florence Pirofski.

"Austin Mutti-Mewes had asked me about 98 year old actress Shirley
Chambers, who was in 22 films and TV shows from 1932 to 1966,
including "Dancing Lady" (1933), which also featured the Three
Stooges. Austin had corresponded with her for many years, and recently
received an envelope returned by the US Post Office marked "Deceased".
He asked me about it. I found no listing on ancestry.com or the Social
Security Death Index, and nothing in the Los Angeles Times.
A telephone number listed at her address was "disconnected - Not in
Service". I found a number for the resident of the nearest apartment
and called her. She is Noira Ambarts Moumian. She said that Shirley,
whose last name was Nash at that address, had died on September 11,
2011. She said she had a daughter, whose name she did not know. She
said there was no obituary, and that her body was cremated.

She did have a Three Stooges connection in "Dancing Lady" 1933. She
also was in "Diplomaniacs" 1922 - (Wheeler and Woolsey), which also
featured Marjorie White and Phyllis Barry; "Morning Glory" 1933 which
also featured Geneva Mitchell; "The Champ's a Chump: 1936, which also
featured Fred Kohler, Jr., Harley Wood and Gertrude Messinger. She
would be best known for her small role in "Gone With The Wind" 1939,
as "Belle's girl."

Monday, September 26, 2011

Actress Marlene Ippolito died on Friday September 23, at her residence in Itatiba, in São Paulo. Marlene was 69 and suffered a massive heart attack. Born in Uauá, Bahia she started in films with the film "Rose of the Winds" , in 1957 when she sold candy at the fair. In 1969, the actress made "Hellbound" and the following year "Jeca Tatu". Because of her beauty, in 1970 she was invited to make genre adult films such as "The Night of Desire" (1973) which won the prize of the State Governor, and in 1976 film "Mortal Cruelty" whcih premiered at the Festival of Gramado. In addition to being an actress Marlene also worked as a director on three short films: "Frei Tito" (1983), "Women of the Earth" (1983) and "Street Child" (1988). The body of the actress will be buried in the Redeemer Cemetery, on Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, in the neighborhood of Sumaré, west of Sao Paulo. Marlene left a husband and two daughters.

DALLAS — Few broadcasters had a bigger impact on North Texas than Jerry Haynes, who has died at age 84.

He died Monday morning from complications due to Parkinson's Disease.

For an astounding 35 years, his iconic "Mr. Peppermint" character enthralled children and their parents. He led the longest running locally-produced show in WFAA's history, with more than 6,000 episodes.

Haynes was also an accomplished character actor who appeared in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Places in the Heart," "Robo Cop" and "Boys Don't Cry." He starred in a variety of TV movies and shows as well, among them: "Dallas" and "Walker, Texas Ranger."

Haynes began his career as a program announcer, then hosted variety and teen dance shows in the 1950s, including "Dallas Bandstand." He filled in for the legendary Dick Clark on his "American Bandstand" network program.

Haynes was an eyewitness to history. He was present at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas on November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

He dashed four blocks to the WFAA studio to be among the first to describe the scene to incredulous viewers.

"I ran back as quick as I could," Haynes said in a 2008 interview. "I was 34 years old, so I was a sprinter. [On the way] I heard a lady say 'Oh my Lord, they killed him!.'"

It was more than two years earlier that he began the show that would make him a household name in North Texas.

"It turned into a career because I would have been long gone a long time ago," he said during a Mr. Peppermint tribute on "Good Morning Texas."

Through the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, generations of Texas children grew up watching Mr. Peppermint and his gang of sidekicks, especially Muffin, the beloved puppet creation of sidekick Vern Dailey.

Always wearing his red-and-white suit, straw hat and carrying a candy-striped cane (an idea he borrowed from "The Music Man"), Haynes bridged the times from black-and-white to color to special effects.

But in the mid-90s, as children's shows faded to video games and the Internet, and with Haynes approaching age 70, Mr. Peppermint hung up the familiar hat and cane in a TV special marking his retirement.

"One of my family's favorite places to travel has been 'Peppermint Place,'" said then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in a tribute broadcast during the retirement special.

Haynes would later be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he slipped from public eye.

But he'll never be far from the minds of his millions of fans, young and old.

"I want to remind you: Sometimes things don't go too well and you're not feeling a real good mood," Mr. Peppermint reminded his young viewers. "When you feel unhappy, nothing seems worthwhile. Just give yourself a peppermint grin, and you will wear a smile."

Sergio Bonelli, historic publisher of Dylan Dog, Tex Willer and tens of other characters of the Italian comic strip, has died after a short illness. Sergio was born on December 12, 1932 in Milan and was the son of Gian Luigi Bonelli [1908-2001] creator of Tex Willer and founder of the publishing company Sergio Bonelli Editore S.p.A.. His first publishing activities go back to 1955, under the feminine pseudonym of Guido Nolitta, with the cartoon of ‘Un ragazzo nel Far West’ (A Boy in the Far West), illustrated by Franco Bignotti. After his father’s death he continued writing the Tex Willer comics. In the 1957 Bonelli it then assumes the direction of the publishing house called Arlado Editions, in order to give life in 1961 to ‘Zagor’. Bonelli also Il Giudice Bean' (Judge Roy Bean), a six adventure mini-series which Robert Hossein starred in the film (1971). In 1975 he created ‘Mr. No’. In 2008 he was awarded the Ambrogino d’oro by the city of Milan. In August of 2011 he was stricken by a sudden illness and was admitted to San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Lombardy, Italy where he passed away this morning.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

He worked under the orders of filmmakers such as Felipe Cazals, Arturo Ripstein and Alfredo Gurrola.

Mexico Monday August 29, 2011

Notimex / The Unversal

Mexican actor Alejandro Parodi, who excelled in the national cinema in films like 'Marusia Minutes' by Miguel Littin, and 'The Empire of Fortune' by Arturo Ripstein, died at age 83, reported the Academy Mexican Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.The death of the artist, who was a disciple of Alex Philips, and also worked under such directors as Felipe Cazals, Alfredo Gurrola and Alejandro Pelayo, occurred last Saturday in Tequisquiapan, Querétaro.Conaculta regrets death

The National Council for Culture and the Arts (Conaculta) deplores the death of the first actor, considered one of the key figures in the cinema.

In a statement, the honorary members and assets of the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, reported that last weekend the actor died in Tequisquiapan, Querétaro.

His story
ParodiAlejandroMontaño , was born on July 23, 1928, in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora. Professional education in photography, film and theater. She studied drama with the stage director Seki Sano, as well as being a disciple of cinematographer Alex Phillips.

He later worked under the orders of the director FelipeCazals in "Las Poquianchis" (1976), based on real events, which gave life to the judge handling the case of three sisters who kept a prostitution ring.

However, the recognition came to star in the film "LlámenmeMike" (1979), directed by Alfredo Gurrola, which tells the story of a corrupt policeman who is jailed, he receives a brutal beating, loses his mind and becomes an effective and honest vigilant.

For this film, in which he starred with Victor Alcocer, Carlos Cardan, and Sasha Montenegro, was awarded first prize Ariel for Best Actor.

Also highlighted in 'knockout', conducted by José Luis García Agraz in 1984, and "El imperio de la fortuna" (1986), by Arturo Ripstein, the latter based on "El gallo de oro"Juan Rulfo's literary work. For both films, the actor was honored again with the Ariel Award in 1984 and 1987 in the category Best Supporting Male Actor.

In 2000 returns to work with director Felipe Cazals in "Su alteza serenísima" in which he played Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and she shared credits with Blanca Guerra, Pedro Armendariz Jr., Ana Bertha Espin.

Later, he participated in "De ida y vuelta" (2000) and "El misterio del Trinidad", again under the direction of Jose Luis Garcia Agraz, and for which he won another Nobel Ariel.

He made few interventions on television, soap operas "Penthouse" (1973), Fanny Cano, and "Mirada de mujer: The Return" (2003), which played "Eladio Chacón".

His last job was in "Bodas de oro" (2005), Fernando Luján, Martha Navarro and Hector Bonilla. In 2009 the artist received the Golden Ariel, along with Canadian-born actress Fami Kauffman, better known as 'Vitola'.

Ariel had nine nominations, the highest award granted by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, an organization of which he was an honorary member, and received four of them.
He was also awarded three Silver Goddess and various national and international awards

Friday, September 23, 2011

French film star, PauletteDubost passed away on September 21, 2011 at the age of 100. appeared in more than 150 films during her 81 year career. She was a witty, naughty and clever comedienne in many French comedies of the 1930's. She also proved to be good in dramatic roles, such as Ginette in "Hotel du Nord" (1938) and Lisette in "La règle du jeu" (1939). Paulette Dubost was born PauletteMarieEmmaDeplanque in Paris, France, on Ocotber 8, 1910. Her father was a petroleum engineer and her mother a singer at the OpéraComique. Paulette began her career at the age of 7 at the OpéradeParis. At 17, she switched to operetta and played for two years in "Les Aventures du roi Pausole" (The Adventures of King Pausole) at the BouffesParisienswith SimoneSimon, EdwigeFeuillère and VivianeRomance. Her naughty look and her voice were quickly noticed by film makers, and from 1930 on she played roles in films by JacquesTourneur, JeanRenoir, AndreCayatte, GillesGrangier and MaxOphuls. In "Le Roi de Champs Elysses" (1935, Max Nosseck) she appeared opposite the famous silent film star BusterKeaton in a dual role. She played a supporting part in "Hotel du Nord" (1936), the second in Marcel Carne's trio of 'fatalistic romantic melodramas' starring Annabella and Jean-PierreAumont. Her most famous film from this period is JeanRenoir's"La Règle du jeu" (1939). Though it's now regarded as one of the great classics of the French film, it was not warmly received on its original release in 1939

After the war Dubost co-starred with Danielle Darrieux in "Au Petit Bonheur" (1946, Marcel L'Herbier), derived from a stage play, written by MarcGilbertSauvajon. She appeared in the interesting Swiss post-war drama "Four in a Jeep" (1951, Leopold Lindtberg) starring VivecaLindfors and RalphMeeker. MaxOphüls then gave Paulette Dubost parts in Le plaisir/Pleasure (1951), based on three short stories by of GuydeMaupassant, and Lola Montes (1955) starring MartineCarol. In 1992, she published a memoir entitled C'est court la vie (It's a short life). Even in old age she continued to perform in films. Her last film appearance was in the short film Curriculum (2007, Alexander Moix). Paulette Dubost is currently 99 years old. She was married to AndreOstertag from 1936 till 1944. They have a daughter, born in 1942. Paulette appeared in one Euro-western "Viva Maria!" (1965) as Madame Diogène with Brigite Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. - By Bob Holland

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Actor Nico Minardos, who appeared in films and television during a three-decade career and was the subject of a 2010 documentary, died of natural causes on August 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. He was 81. Minardos was a contract player at 20th Century Fox, making his first (uncredited) film appearance in 1952's "Monkey Business" with Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant. Film credits also include "Istanbul," with Errol Flynn; 1960's "Twelve Hours to Kill," in which he starred opposite Barbara Eden; "It Happened in Athens," with Jayne Mansfield; and 1977's "Assault on Agathon," which he produced and starred in with Marianne Faithfull and John Woodvine. Minardos also made appearances on dozens of TV shows starting in 1956. Credits included "Maverick," "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," "The Flying Nun," "Mod Squad," "Mission: Impossible," "Ironside," "Alias Smith and Jones" and "The A-Team." He was also the subject of Owen Prell's 2010 feature documentary "Finding Nico." Born February 15, 1930 in Athens, Greece, Minardos attended the Sorbonne in Paris and graduated from UCLA. He was briefly married to Deborah Jean Smith, who later married Tyrone Power. Minardos is survived by his second wife, Julie Minardos; son George Minardos; daughter Nina Aloni, who is married to CAA agent Dan Aloni; and three grandchildren.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Norma Eberhardt Dauphin, top model of the 1940s and later radio, television, and film actress, died September 16 at Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC, of a stroke. She was 82. Norma, a native of Oakhurst, New Jersey, was discovered as a young teen at the Easter Parade on the Asbury Park boardwalk. Her striking beauty and rare eye colors—one blue, one brown—caught the attention of a New York photographer. His photographs launched her career as an international model and cover girl. Norma performed in early live radio and television dramas and later in featured roles on Dragnet (1959), Hogan's Heroes (1969), and other series. Her movie credits include Problem Girls (1953), Live Fast Die Young (1958), and a starring role in a film that has become a cult favorite, Return of Dracula (1958). She married French Resistance hero and actor Claude Dauphin in 1955. His prolific filmography includes April in Paris (1953), The Quiet American (1958), and Two for the Road (1967). The Dauphins divided their time between New York, Ocean Township, Hollywood, and Paris. Mr. Dauphin died in 1978. Norma remained loyal to her Monmouth County roots and was a founding member and honorary trustee of the Ocean Township Historical Museum.

She is survived by her 107-year-old father, George Eberhardt of Chester, and six siblings.

A celebration of Norma's life for friends, family, and fans will take place from 2 to 4, Sunday, September 25, at the Church House of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. For those who would like, donations can be made in Norma's memory to the Ocean Township Historical Museum, P.O. Box 516, Oakhurst, NJ 07755.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Frances Bay, who found success as a character actress in middle age playing grandmother roles in the Adam Sandler movie "Happy Gilmore" and on TV's "Happy Days," died Thursday, according to her agent, Brian McCabe. She was 92. Bay, a Canadian, who spent much of her life as a housewife, fulfilled her desire to become an actress in the 1970s, when she was in her mid-50s. Her first movie role came in the 1976 Goldie Hawn-Chevy Chase comedy "Foul Play," and she began a string of TV guest roles on "The Jeffersons," "The Dukes of Hazzard" and as Fonzie's grandmother on "Happy Days." She also played the "marble rye lady" on "Seinfeld" and acted in several David Lynch films, starting with "Blue Velvet." Bay appeared in the French, Canadian TV co-production "By Way of the Stars" (1992) as Annie Pyle

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Paul Hunt, a producer and director of B movies who was associated with Orson Welles in the latter's later years, died Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Redondo Beach, Calif., of a heart attack. He was 67.
Hunt was also a distributor of underground films in the U.S. through his company Canyon Films.

Born in Redondo Beach, Paul Edward Hunt began as a maker of surfboards; his first bigscreen credit was for a role as a surfer in 1964's "North Swell."

His first film behind the camera was 1966's "The Psychedelics," on which he was director and cinematographer. He sometimes worked under the pseudonym H.P. Edwards. His next film was the documentary "Surfari," which he produced. Directing efforts "The Harem Bunch," "You," "Wild, Free and Hungry," "Fusion," "Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns" soon followed in the late '60s and early '70s.

During the period he also produced pics including "Tropic of Scorpio," "The Pleasure Machines," "House of a Thousand Dreams" and "The Toy Box." He also worked as a cinematographer, gaffer, sound recordist and editor for other directors.

Hunt began his association with Welles in 1970, working on "The Other Side of the Wind," a film that was never completed and around which there is still much controversy. Hunt had a role in the film and served as a line producer, editor, sound man, camera operator and gaffer. He remained associated with Welles until the latter's death in 1985.

Hunt continued to direct and/or produce his own films: During the remainder of the 1970s, he came out with pics including "The Clones,"

"Home Grown," "Woman in the Rain" and "The Great Gundown." In 1979 he helmed a documentary about a famous Hollywood clan, "The Carradines Together."

Hunt headed up a series of companies: Pacific Intl. Pictures, Filmmakers Intl. Releasing and United Filmmakers. His longtime partner in these endeavors was Sanford Horowitz, and producer Max Youngstein served as a consultant.

Filmmakers Intl. Releasing did post on a number of David Carradine films, and Hunt later produced David Carradine's 1985 directorial effort "Mata Hari," shot partly in India and produced in part by Ismail Merchant.

Hunt's final films were "Twisted Nightmare" (1987), "Demon Wind" (1990) and 1993's "Merlin," the last of which he also co-wrote.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, sep. 15, 2011 .- The world of entertainment in Mexico is in mourning. At 23:15 am on Wednesday passed the first actor Jorge Lavat. The news was confirmed in the first instance Santaelena hospital, where the actor was admitted to the intensive care area.

Shortly after Lavat Queta, sister of the actor, confirmed the death.

For a few days remained hospitalized Jorge Lavat waiting to undergo surgery for a spinal infection.

His sister Harriet had noted that the actor's health was delicate:

"She has an induced coma, is very quiet. We thought we heard, we feel, feeling the kisses, good wishes, so here we are with him, his four children, his brothers, his friends, his wife. We very hopeful that everything stays OK, "the actress said in previous days.

A Lavat Jorge is survived by four children, Adriana, Paola, Valeria, Jorge Francisco and his wife Rebecca Manriquez.

PORTRAIT OF GEORGE LAVAT

Jorge Bayona Lavat born on August 3, 1933 in the city of Mexico, had three brothers, including the actress Queta Lavatl.

Although a young man leaned in aviation, in Tijuana, Baja California, he worked at various jobs. However, he returned to Mexico City where he was hired as manager of Montecasino hotel.

The responsibility to accompany their sisters to San Angel Inn studies gave him the opportunity to work as an extra.

In 1957 he dubs the U.S. television series as "The Addams Family," "The Untouchables", "The Time Tunnel" and "The Green Hornet."

In 1958 Gregory Wallderstein producer gave a great opportunity to work alongside Germain Valdes "Tin Tan" and Maria Antonieta Pons, in "The Thousand and One Nights".

His last appearance on the national cinema as a protagonist was the movie "student."

Jorge Lavat participated in 1958 in the first Mexican-screen melodrama "Senda prohibida", followed in 1964 "Crown of Tears," "Obsession" in 1967, "Courage Brothers" in 1972 and "My sister, Nena."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I recently found out that producer, production manager, director, screenwriter and cinematographer Alvaro Mancori passed away on June 24, 2011. Alvaro was born in Rome on September 15, 1923 and was the brother of cinematographers Guglielmo Mancori [1927- ] and Sandro Mancori [1933-2009]. Alvaro was the cinematographer on over 50 films from 1940 until 1966. He started his career in the Golden Age of Italian Cinema in 1940 as a studio technician. In 1941 he became an assistant cameraman and in 1946 he was the lead cameraman on "Come scopersi l’America" by Carlo Borghesio. He became a regular on Toto films and was the cinematographer on a dozen of the comedian’s films. In 1963 Alvaro created Elios studios where one of the major Italian western sets was built. He became a director in 1964 and directed both "Hercules the Invincible" and "Racconti a due piazze" in 1965. Alvaro participated in four Euro westerns as a producer and cinematographer on "The Magnificent Brutes of the West" (1964) and "The Tramplers" (1965) and producer on "Run, Man, Run" (1968) and "Bastard Go and Kill" (1971).

Jack Garner, a Norman native who worked as an actor, singer, professional baseball player and longtime golf pro, died Tuesday in California after a brief illness. He was 84.

He was the older brother of Hollywod legend James Garner. The oldest brother, the late Charles Bumgarner, was a longtime Norman school administrator who died in 1984 at age 60.

Jack Garner’s daughter, Liz Bumgarner, said her father had fallen and broken a hip last week. His heart was not strong enough for surgery and they were planning for long-term care when his condition worsened and he died, she said.

Jack Garner was a standout athlete at Norman High School and played on a state championship basketball team for Norman High. He later played professional baseball and worked as a golf professional at local courses.

Later in life he was frequently cast in roles in his brother’s 1970s NBC-TV series, "The Rockford Files" and numerous other shows. Liz Bumgarner, said her father moved to California in the early 1960s. He most recently lived in Palm Desert, Calif.

Both Jack Garner and James Garner were raised in Norman and later changed their name from Bumgarner to Garner when they moved to California. Charles Bumgarner remained in Norman and retained the Bumgarner name.

"He had so many friends and still had some family in Norman," Liz Bumgarner said of her father. "We had many great memories there."

A memorial service is planned in California. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wiefels Palm Springs Mortuary.

The three Bumgarner sons were born in Norman to Mildred Scott Meek and Weldon Warren "Bill" Bumgarner. The family ran a general store at Denver Corner on the east side of Norman. Mrs. Bumgarner died when the boys were very young and they lived with friends and relatives as their father struggled to find work during the Depression.

In his soon-to-be-published memoir, James Garner called his older brother "a hell of an athlete, and I always took a backseat to him."

"At Norman High, he was a point guard on a championship basketball team and quarterbacked an all-state football team," James Garner wrote. "But his best sport was baseball: Jack was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for eleven years. He was a better athlete than I was and a lot more outgoing. I was always in his footsteps."

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Cliff Robertson, who starred as John F. Kennedy in a 1963 World War II drama and later won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a mentally disabled bakery janitor in the movie "Charly," died Saturday, one day after his 88th birthday.

Robertson, who also played a real-life role as the whistle-blower in the check-forging scandal of then-Columbia Pictures President David Begelman that rocked Hollywood in the late 1970s, died at Stony Brook University Medical Center on Long Island, according to Evelyn Christel, his longtime personal secretary. His family said he died of natural causes.

In a more than 50-year career in films, Robertson appeared in some 60 movies, including "PT 109," "My Six Loves," "Sunday in New York," "The Best Man," "The Devil's Brigade," "Three Days of the Condor," "Obsession" and "Star 80."

More recently, he played Uncle Ben Parker in the "Spider-Man" films.

Throughout his career, Robertson worked regularly in television, including delivering an Emmy Award-winning performance in "The Game," a 1965 drama on "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre."

Mary Fickett, a New York actress whose career spanned 50 years of radio, television, stage and movies, died Thursday at her home in Callao in Northumberland County. She was 83.

For nearly 30 years, Fickett was loved and admired by millions of people as the good, compassionate nurse Ruth Parker Brent Martin on the daytime TV drama "All My Children." She appeared in the first episode of the show in 1970 and made her last appearance in 2000.

At the height of the Vietnam War in the show's 1972-73 season, Fickett delivered a touching monologue expressing her character's doubts about the war and fears about her drafted son.

Ruth's speech resonated with millions of viewers across America with the same doubts and fears. It also won Fickett an Emmy in 1973, the first ever awarded to a performer in a daytime drama.

With Ruth and her doctor husband as the drama's tent-pole characters, "All My Children" became the top-rated daytime TV drama in 1978. Ray MacDonnell played the role of Dr. Joe Martin, Fickett's TV husband.

Fickett "never really acted," MacDonnell said in 2008. "She was just a wonderful human being and a delight to work with. She was very bright and always cheerful and inspired natural emotions in me and her fellow actors."

Fickett's show-business career began in New York at the side of her father, Homer Fickett, a leading producer of radio and television shows in the 1940s and early 1950s. Reared in the fashionable Westchester County suburb of Bronxville, she attended Wheaton College and then enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse, a famous acting school run by Sanford Meisner.

Her Broadway debut occurred in 1949 in "I Know My Love," a comedy starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
In 1955 she received a Theatre World Award for her performance in "Tea and Sympathy" with Anthony Perkins and Joan Fontaine. In 1958 she was nominated for a Tony for her role as Eleanor Roosevelt opposite Ralph Bellamy's FDR in "Sunrise at Campobello."

In her many other stage, screen and TV roles, she worked with other famous performers such as John Forsythe, Beatrice Arthur, Michael Dreyfuss, Brian Keith, Robert Culp, Jack Klugman, Bing Crosby, Dan Duryea, Ossie Davis and Hal Holbrook.

From 1961 until 1963 she joined Harry Reasoner as co-host of a new CBS morning show called "Calendar." The New York Times called it "a delightful oasis of fun and intelligence."

"I cut many a swath," Fickett said in 2008 from her bed at her daughter's home in Colonial Beach.

"I'm a little bit on hold. I'm not quite with it," she said. "It's amazing how much of your persona gets eaten up by time."

Fickett's marriages to James R.W. Congdon and Jay Leonard Scheer ended in divorce. In 1979 she married soap-opera director Allen Fristoe, who died in 2008.

Fickett is survived by her daughter Bronwyn "Anne" Congdon of Callao, her son Kenyon Stewart Congdon of Apopka, Fla., eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Spanish actor and theater director Carlos Ballesteros has died. Carlos Ballesteros died Sunday, September 4, 2011, in a hospital in Móstoles, Madrid, Spain at 75 years of age, month and a half after being diagnosed with cancer.

Ballesteros was born on December 31, 1935 in Zaragoza, Aragon Spain. He studied philosophy and literature in college, but soon found his passion for the stage which led him to abandon his studies and join the Spanish University Theatre, where he participated in productions such as "Six Characters in Search of an Author" of Pirandelo and "Life is a Dream" by Calderon de la Barca.From 1957 until the beginning of the last decade he appeared in over a hundred plays by national and international authors such as Calderón, Zorrilla, Buero Vallejo, Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Valle-Inclan, Shakespeare, Ibsen, Wilde, Strinberg, Molière, Steinbeck, Poe and Aeschylus, among others.

In 1962 the actor began his film career at the hands of José María Forqué, in "Accidente 703". He followed up with twenty more films, among them "Tatuaje" by Bigas Luna, "La espada Negra" by Francisco Rovira Beleta, "Nunca en horas de clase" José Antonio de la Loma and "Locas vacaciones" by Hubert Frank .On the small screen he took part in the legendary "Studio 1" and "Stories to Keep You Awake" TV series and most recently guested in the popular series "Médico de familia" in which he played Nicholas, father of Emilio Aragón.

In 2000 he retired after participating in "La malquerida" by Jacinto Benavente. Besides its importance as an actor, Ballesteros was a cartoonist in the magazines Don Jose, La codorniz, and Primer planc. His humor was subject to literary forays, in 2007 he published the novel Para cuando se canse de leer a James Joyce, andalso wrote several plays which were adapted for the stage such as "Dracula".Last year, the multifaceted artist assumed the leadership of the Municipal School of Classical Theatre of Madrid suburb of Navan, where he lived for some time.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Twice-blacklisted television director Charles S. Dubin, who worked prolifically over the course of more than four decades, helming more episodes of "MASH" -- 44 -- than any other director, died Sept. 5 in Brentwood, Calif., of natural causes. He was 92.

Dubin was already a TV veteran when he became associated with "MASH," having directed classic live arts programming during TV's golden age such as "Pulitzer Prize Playhouse" (1950-52); "Omnibus" (1955-58), for which he worked with the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Agnes de Mille and George Balanchine; and "The Seven Lively Arts." In 1959, he filmed the Bolshoi Ballet for television during its first American tour.

Dubin produced and directed a 1965 TV adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Cinderella," starring Lesley Ann Warren, earning an Emmy nomination.

In the wake of his success with this high-profile production, which also starred Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon, Dubin became one of the busiest directors in TV over the next 25 years.

He also directed two episodes of the 1979 miniseries "Roots: The Next Generation."

Dubin was Emmy nominated three times for "MASH," including for the famed episode "Point of View," which was shot entirely from the point of view of a wounded soldier. He also picked up Directors Guild Award nominations for two episodes of "MASH," including "Point of View."

"MASH" producer Gene Reynolds, who first worked with Dubin on "Room 222" and then later on "Lou Grant," said, "He was a dear friend. Charlie was gifted, had a fine eye for comedy and understood the material. He was always an interesting filmmaker, staged well, handled the camera well. And he had a great gift for getting along with people."

"MASH" star Mike Farrell said: "It's a terrible loss. He was the favorite director of the group of us on 'MASH' -- a man with a history, an extraordinary career, ballet, classical music behind him. He became a part of the family."

Dubin was also DGA nominated for an episode of "Hawaii Five-O" and won a DGA Award for an episode of "Kojak."
Dubin won a Daytime Emmy in 1990 for PBS' "Square One TV" and was nominated again in 1992.

Born in New York City, Dubin initially wanted to become an opera singer. After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1941, he studied acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. In the Catskills, he did comedy, drama and music performances as well as some directing. He worked as a stage manager in legit theater in New York, including with Moss Hart.

Dubin began his career as a television director in 1950, just as the medium was becoming viable, when ABC hired him as an associate director.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1966.

Dubin was blacklisted twice, first in 1952, then in 1958, while directing the NBC quizshow "Twenty-One" (the show became the center of the quizshow scandal, but Dubin said he was unaware of the backstage practices that led to the show's demise). At that time, he appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. He later explained that he was not, at that time, a Communist Party member and had never known of any activity contrary to the interests of the United States but also believed in his right not to testify.

He was never cited for contempt, but NBC and the producers of "Twenty-One" dismissed him the next day.

Dubin is survived by his second wife, Mary Lou Chayes, and daughter Zan Dubin Scott, a publicist.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

The actress Marthe Turgeon died Sunday morning of lung cancer at the age of 66 years. She was hospitalized at the Notre-Dame Hospital. Her death was announced Monday evening at a cocktail Awards highlighting the Gascon-Roux in TNM stage she trod the boards in recent years under the direction of Alexis Martin and Lorraine Pintal.

"My personal affinity with her, but beyond these affinities, Martha was the ultimate symbol of theater actress," Says the artistic director of TNM, which led from the early 80 in Brecht's plays and who remembers a woman "larger than life", both generous and demanding, and charismatic.

Marthe Turgeon was born in Armagh, Bellechasse County, was formed in Quebec City and made her debut in a comedy directed by Albert Millaire Fenière The Theatre ( The Broken Jug ). Theater actress of all, it had a deep voice, warm and distinguished himself in the tragedy.

Voice actress
"She had this presence, the voice and diction required for this tragedy, it was made to play such a role." Says Lorraine Pintal, while stressing that disappeared was also very funny.

Her talent for comedy was particularly emphasized by Jean-Pierre Ronfard in Life and Death of King lame , fresco theatrical tragicomic nearly 13 hours set in 1981 in which Marthe Turgeon embodied Ragone Catherine (the mother of the king lame ) in addition to being responsible for the costumes.

"Show was a completely unrestrained, but very well managed, well organized." She had told La Presse in 2009, when the room was taken up by young actors.

Smallandbigscreen
Marthe Turgeon replayed under the direction of Ronfard in Around Phaedra , a performance that earned her the Best Actress of the Association of Theatre Critics. It also illustrated by Brigitte Haentjens ( The dog, Caligula, hello, hello ), Alice Ronfard ( The Trojan Women ) and Lorraine Pintal ( Queens, Stabat Mater and Asylum purity ).

Marthe Turgeon has played in film directed by Léa Pool ( The woman from the hotel, for the Heart ) and accumulated in small supporting roles (Omerta, Vice hidden) and screen ( Black Robe, the confessional and Cruising Bar ).

Friday, September 2, 2011

Eve Brent, Prolific Character Actress, Dies at 82. Fifties starlet played Jane in two Tarzan films during her long steday career. EveBrent, whose steady work over 60 years in show business included playing Jane opposite GordonScott in two Tarzan films of the 1950s, died Aug. 27 of natural causes at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley, Calif. She was 82.

The character actress appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, from 1955 pic Female Jungle (as JeanLewis) to the indie film Hit List, which is scheduled for release in 2012.

Maverick director SamuelFullerchanged her name to Eve Brent when she appeared in Forty Guns, his 1977 Western that starred BarbaraStanwyck.
A native of Houston, Brent also had stints in such recent films as The Green Mile (1999), Garfield (2004) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008).

She played Jane in Tarzan and the Trappers and Tarzan’s Fight for Life, both from 1958, and was a hooker in Clint Eastwood starrer Coogan’s Bluff (1968). Other film credits include Gun Girls (1957), The Bride and the Beast (1958) and Fade to Black (1980), for which she won a Saturn Award.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.